1902. J 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



Muriate v. High-grade Sulfate of Potash. — Clover Hay per 

 Acre (Pounds) . 



Variety. 



Muriate of 

 Potash. 



High-grade 



Sulfate of 



Potash. 



Common red clover 



Mammoth red clover, .... 

 Alsike clover (a portion weighed green), 



6,600 

 7,312 

 10.840 



7,387.5 

 7,612.0 

 14.290.0 



It should bo .stated, in commenting upon these results, 

 that the crops, as in former years, were considerably mixed 

 with weeds. The weights, however, Avhile not aflbrding an 

 accurate basis of comparison for determination of tlie pre- 

 cise eflects of the different })otash salts on the clovers, are 

 not misleading as to the nature of the effect. This is not 

 magnified by the figures, but rather the reverse, for the 

 reason that where the growth of the clover is less luxuriant 

 the growth of the weeds is proportionally more so. 



In this connection attention is called to the fact that two 

 other plots in the field are now in clover which was sown 

 in July. These plots have not been cut, but there is at 

 the present time a gi'eat difference in favor of the sulfate 

 of potash in the condition of the clover on the two plots. 



In conclusion, concerning the merits of these two potash 

 salts for clovers, it is believed that the sulfate is much the 

 safer. Our experiments with these crops have extended over 

 many years, and while sometimes the yield on the muriate 

 of potash is as great as that on the sulfate, there have been 

 many more instances when the yield on the sulfate has been 

 much the better. The difference in favor of this salt ap- 

 pears to be greater in proportion as the rainfall is abundant. 

 It seems probable that this fact is due to the greater loss of 

 lime, which, in association with the acid of the nmriate, is 

 washed out of the soil in considerable quantities Avhenever 

 climatic conditions favor soil leachinsr. 



B. — Cabbages. 

 The crop of cabbages on both the potash salts used was 

 good, at the rate per acre of 33,(>80 pounds on muriate of 



